Rifle Hunting the Mountains

[Kyteen]

We just Recently bought a 50 acre farm here in Kentucky up in the mountains...And since I'm gonna be hunting there this Rifle season,I kinda figure I'm gonna get some hard shots. I was kinda wondering if anyone had any advice about shooting in the mountains?

[joel the signman]

practice with your firearm of choice

[buck_buster22]

i dont have any experience huntin in the mountains but i have hunted in west texas where theres alot of hills. when shootin downwards from a hill try 2 remember 2 aim higher than usual.........i learned the hard way.

[Rozman62]

Climb as high as you can and try to find a spot on a ledge to look down. If you leave early enough you may be able to catch a buck moving into bed. Bucks will bed high and look down all day especially if the wind is coming down from above them. They use there eyes to scan below and there nose for above.

Look for runs going across the ridges with fresh sign. Sitting above these runs can produce if the wind is in your favor. I have hunted the mountains of NH,NY,Vermont and WV and it is not easy but rewarding. Being in shape is a big plus.

If you find a food source with alot of sign then I would hunt those spots as that is most likely your best chance for getting a shot.

[Kyteen]

Thanks,

Hopefully this year I can take a Big buck..The property owner beside us says he see's alot of Deer in the area,and some good one's too.

lots of scouting. i assume that there isn't a lot of farm fields and there is more woods. with this in mind the deer can be more difficult to pattern so you need to know where each and every food source is. the does number one concern is their bellies and that means the boys will soon make the does their number one concern. you know what i mean hunt the does and you will find the bucks at some point. that would be the quickest way to get going on a new property but not the only way.

[BruceBruce1959]

when Shooting uphill or downhill, (In most cases) you should NOT try to adjust your aim for the shot. just aim and shoot as you normally would as if the animal was on level ground, that's the best way to handle up or downhill shots BUT if your shooting an animal that's further than 150 yards then you should compensate for the shot BUT again in most cases you're probably not going to be shooting at an animal more than 150 yards up or downhill
If you are in an area where you are shooting long range up or downhill shots then I would suggest a rifle scope that has built in capabilities that help you determine range and angle. Good Luck

[Hunting Man]

I wasn't aware there were mountains east of the big river Just kidding there kyteen. Good advice from all. If your hunting during the rut stay on stand all day, those bucks will move anytime. As ronn said look for the does who are lookin/traveling for dinner, the bucks will follow at some point. I would find a good vantage point 1/4 down a ridge and maybe where two ridges come together over looking a couple of runs maybe a creek bottom. The bucks will tend to use whatever thick cover they can to move through, watch entry/exit areas to those.

Right. as you get to know that property you'll figure out where the boys hang out little beter. thing is with big woods and mts its harder to narrow down where the bedding areas are. I think, and I've never heard anyone say anything about it, the hills, guts, ridges change the wind patterns in the woods and with each degree of wind direction and speed the deer could have a different bedding area on a day with those given conditions. just one of my thoughts on mts and deer hunting.

[Hunting Man]

Good thoughts on the wind I really like a 1/4 ing wind in my face if i can get it especially when on foot. In Pa we have a lot of laural thickets the bucks love to travel through these. A person can't crawl through them but a buck can run at full speed through!